ASTM D3878-03
(Terminology)Standard Terminology for Composite Materials
Standard Terminology for Composite Materials
SCOPE
1.1 These definitions cover generic terms, including terms of commercial importance, that appear in one or more standards on composites containing high-modulus (greater than 20-GPa (3 X 106 psi)) fibers.
1.2 The definitions cover, in most cases, special meanings used in the composites industry. No attempt has been made to include common meanings of the same terms as used outside the composites industry.
1.3 Definitions included have, in general, been approved as standard.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation:D 3878–03
Standard Terminology for
1
Composite Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3878; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (ϵ) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope are commonly used precursors.
catenary:
1.1 These definitions cover generic terms, including terms
filament catenary—the difference in length of the filaments
of commercial importance, that appear in one or more stan-
in a specified length of tow, end, or strand as a result of
dards on composites containing high-modulus (greater than
6
unequal tension; the tendency of some filaments in a taut
20-GPa (3310 psi)) fibers.
horizontal tow, end, or strand to sag lower than others.
1.2 The definitions cover, in most cases, special meanings
roving catenary—the difference in length of the ends, tows,
used in the composites industry. No attempt has been made to
or strands in a specified length of roving as a result of
include common meanings of the same terms as used outside
unequaltension;thetendencyofsomeends,tows,orstrands
the composites industry.
in a taut horizontal roving to sag lower than others.
1.3 Definitions included have, in general, been approved as
caul plate, n—a flat plate used to provide a flat surface to the
standard.
top of the laminate during laminate consolidation or cure.
2. Referenced Documents
composite:
composite material—a substance consisting of two or more
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2
materials, insoluble in one another, which are combined to
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
form a useful engineering material possessing certain prop-
2.2 Military Standard:
3
erties not possessed by the constituents.
MIL-HDBK-17
DISCUSSION—a composite material is inherently inhomogeneous on a
3. Terminology
microscopic scale but can often be assumed to be homogeneous on a
3.1 Definitions: macroscopic scale for certain engineering applications. The constitu-
ents of a composite retain their identities: they do not dissolve or
645° laminate—a balanced symmetric laminate composed of
otherwise merge completely into each other, although they act in
only +45° plies and −45° plies.
concert.
angleply laminate—any balanced laminate consisting of plus
continuous filament yarn, n—two or more continuous fila-
and minus theta plies where theta is an acute angle with
ments twisted into a single fiber bundle.
respect to a reference direction.
crossply laminate—a laminate composed of only 0 and 90°
balanced laminate—any laminate that contains one ply of
plies. This is not necessarily symmetric.
minusthetaorientationwithrespecttothelaminateprincipal
damage, n—in structures and structural mechanics, a struc-
axis for every identical ply with a plus theta orientation.
tural anomaly in material or structure created by manufac-
braided fabric—see braided fabric under fabric.
turing or service usage.
bundle—a general term for a collection of essentially parallel
damage resistance, n—in structures and structural mechan-
filaments.
ics, a measure of the relationship between the force, energy,
carbon fiber precursor—a material from which carbon fiber
orotherparameter(s)associatedwithaneventorsequenceof
ismadebypyrolysis.Polyacrylonitrile,rayon,orpitchfibers
events and the resulting damage size and type.
DISCUSSION—Damage resistance increases as the force, energy, or
1
These definitions are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D30 on
other parameter increases for a given size or type of damage. Con-
Composite Materials and are the direct responsibilities of Subcommittee D30.01 on
versely, damage resistance increases as damage decreases, for a given
Editorial and Resource Standards.
applied force, energy, or other parameter. Damage resistance and
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 2003. Published January 2003. Originally
damage tolerance are often confused.Amaterial or structure with high
approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D3878–02a.
damage resistance will incur less physical damage from a given event.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.01.
3 Materials or structures with high damage tolerance may incur varying
Available from ASTM International as The Composite Materials Handbook—
levels of physical damage but will have high amounts of remaining
MIL 17. Also available as MIL-HDBK-17 from Standardization Documents Order
functionality.Adamage-resistantmaterialorstructuremay,ormaynot,
Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4, Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-
5094 be considered damage tolerant.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, P
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.